[I LIKE USING THESE PARENTHESES THINGS 
]
[Warning: This story probably will make you cry and mentions a few “gory” things as well as the subject of death. If you are sensitive to that I do not suggest reading.]
The beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room as I opened the door.
It felt like a punch to the gut- no, a punch to the heart- as I looked at him.
His beautiful chocolate colored skin had 2 visible stitches on just one arm. The mask they had him wear to help his breathing was strapped on tight around his nose and mouth. His eyes were closed, one was bruised badly, and his curly jet-black hair was unbrushed. The familiar streak of green ran through it. His neck was bruised on one side where the seatbelt was too, and his stomach went up and down slowly as he breathed, the horrible hospital gown covering him. His leg was in a cast. And he was still unconscious.
I think I stopped breathing for a hot second as I scanned his body. I ran towards him, unable to believe the pain the car crash he was in had caused.
He was driving his truck down the street, coming home from work. His light was green, and the intersecting lane wasn’t. But someone driving 50 miles over the speed limit (at 90 mph total) ran a red light and crashed right into his car, so hard that his car spun around. They had broken the door and as it spun the door cracked off. His seat belt was thankfully on but then while the car spun the person behind him crashed as well- less hard- and caused his car to stop, but it flipped over upside down. He slipped out of his seatbelt, already bruised and broken. By the time the ambulance arrived, 3 people were hurt badly, but not the car that started it all. And he was hurt the worst.
3 hours later, 7:00 pm, here I was, kneeling next to him, praying he’s okay.
The nurse came in. “I’m really sorry about your husband. The good thing is that he’s alive right now.”
I nodded as a tear ran down my cheek. That was true. “Can you explain what condition he’s in?” I said, my voice wavering.
The nurse looked down at her clipboard. “He has a broken leg and rib, multiple gashes and bruises…” her voice was quiet as she continued, “…and we think his body from the waste down might even be paralyzed.”
My eyes widened. Paralyzed?
I nodded again, a couple more hot tears running down my cheek. “Thank you.”
I got up and sat in the chair near him. I wasn’t going to leave his side until he was up and okay.
The nurse did a little check on her computer to make sure everything was okay and left the room for a little bit. It was just me and him.
I stared at the floor. He’ll be okay, I thought. He will.
Seeing him like that, in such bad shape, was hard to accept compared to the guy I once knew.
Memories of our wedding came back to me. His classy suit, his good looks, as I walked down the aisle. It was a private one, where only about 10 people were there. I had a white but short dress on, but it was accompanied by a bowtie. And seeing him… and knowing we’d be together until death do us part…
And if death was creeping in now…
I somehow fell asleep. I don’t really know how long I slept. I woke up very, very early in the morning though. I couldn’t tell you why. I rubbed my eyes.
The doctor was in the room, paying no attention to him, just the computer.
I should check on him, I thought. I walked over.
“Gabe?” I said softly.
There was no response. I sighed.
But then I heard a small “Lincoln?”
“Yes, it’s me, Gabe.” I pushed back his hair. My eyes watered.
The doctor looked over. She seemed surprised and got up, getting a little closer.
He still didn’t open his eyes, but he quietly was talking to me. “Have I gone to heaven yet?”
“No, not yet, and hopefully not for a long time,” I whispered.
“Are you sure? I think you’re an angel…”
I couldn’t help but smile as tears streamed down my cheeks. He was still the same guy with the stupid jokes. I bent down and wrapped my arms around him carefully, trying not to squeeze.
“I’m so glad you’re okay…” I said.
He didn’t move his arms, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
“Lincoln, I think I am going to see devils, not angels... soon, too…”
“No, no, no, you’ll see no devils or angels, you’ll be here. Don’t worry.”
He didn’t respond. I stopped hugging him.
“Gabe?”
It took a moment. I could feel my heart beat as I heard a his voice, almost silent.
“I love you, Lincoln.”
“I love you too.” My heart beat faster as I spoke. “I really do.”
He didn’t respond for the next minute. “Gabe?” I asked.
There still was no response.
Suddenly the heart monitor beeped loudly and fast. The atmosphere in the room instantly changed as the doctor ran to the computer to check stats and soon enough 2 different nurses walked in.
“GABE!?” I screamed.
The nurse told me to stand back and that they got this. I didn’t budge.
The other nurse tried to pull me away. I sobbed and pulled away with all my might as I tried to stay, but I was no match. She sat me on the seat and frantically tried to save his life with the rest of the doctors.
My heart was beating faster than I ever thought it would. I cried hard as I stared at him. His stomach wasn’t moving anymore. He wasn’t breathing.
One of the nurses led me out of the room. I didn’t fight anymore. I could barely catch my breath between sobs.
They sat me outside.
An hour later, the doctor opened the door.
“I’m sorry…” The doctor said. “He didn’t make it.”
Now it felt like my heart stopped.
—————————————————————————————————————
NOVEMBER 2ND, 2022
I sat beside his grave. The cold wind blew and ruffled the fall leaves remaining on the trees.
“Fall was your favorite season, wasn’t it?” I said, smiling.
I almost felt as if I could hear his voice in the wind, telling me jokingly that it wasn’t called fall but autumn, like he used to do.
I stared at the sky as I thought about it all.
“I miss you, Gabe.” I said, my voice hushed. “I promise, one day I’ll be with you again. I promise I’ll see you again.”
Tears fell down my cheek just like it had many times before- but this time, it was happy.
I stood up and looked to the sky. “I LOVE YOU, GOOF!” I shouted to up there.
“Until death do us part…” I don’t think death will ever part us. Nothing will.
It hurts that he’s gone... but I think I’ll see him again.
My heart was beating normally, a steady thump in my chest.
Someday…
